New York Rangers scouts present to watch Kraken, Sharks, and Flames: report
As the NHL Trade Deadline draws near (Mar. 8th), the New York Rangers have scouts checking out certain teams that are expected to be sellers this season.
According to Shawn Hutcheon, Blueshirts scouts were present for the Kraken game against the Bruins. Meanwhile, per Max Miller, New York sent a scout to take in the Flames and Sharks tilt.
With Blake Wheeler suffering what appears to be a serious lower-body injury in the Rangers 7-4 win over the Montreal Canadiens on Thursday, the Rangers may be expediting their timeframe to make a trade.
Related: Rangers look within for bottom-six fix
New York Rangers scouting sellers
The Rangers have already called up forward Matt Rempe in the wake of Wheeler’s injury with an update expected today.
“It was tough for Blake,” a very somber Peter Laviolette said. “We’ll evaluate it and address it tomorrow. He’s a veteran player that came here for a reason. You see something like that and it’s tough.”
Wheeler, 37, was hurt with nine minutes remaining in the opening period, trying to play the puck along the boards before being hit by Montreal defenseman Jayden Struble. The force of the contact drove him back with his right ankle bending awkwardly underneath his own weight.
This now weakens an already thin right wing, and may forcegeneral manager Chris Drury to prioritize that need over a third-line center after losing Filip Chytil for the season.
Based on that information, Sharks’ right wing Anthony Duclair stands out as a player scouts would be watching. Same for Jordan Eberle of the Kraken. Looking at the Flames, they don’t really have a forward for the Rangers to target, but do have five pending UFA defensemen which could be a small deal for depth.
Looking at Forever Blueshirts’ Trade Board, here’s where Duclair and Eberle rank.
7. Anthony Duclair – F – San Jose Sharks
“The Duke” is an intriguing option alongside Mika Zibanejad and Chris Kreider. He brings speed and scoring ability, plus he had 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in 20 playoff games in 2023 with the Florida Panthers. He has only nine goals this season playing for the miserable Sharks, but had 31 just two seasons ago before getting hurt. The former Rangers forward can be a UFA at the end of the season and makes $3 million.
5. Jordan Eberle – F – Seattle Kraken
The 33-year-old’s production is on the rise after a slow start and he’s an eight-time 20-goal scorer. If you believe Zibanejad and Kreider can unlock something with Eberle, then you figure out a way to get the Kraken to retain 50 percent of the pending UFA’s $5.5 million cap hit and get a deal done.
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